Effects of Levonorgestrel On Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation
Conference Year
January 2022
Abstract
Breast cancer is the leading type of cancer in the U.S. among women and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Women who are exposed to external hormones, through contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy, have been shown to have an increased risk for breast cancer. Levonorgestrel, a synthetic hormone found in intrauterine devices, was hypothesized to promote breast cancer viability and proliferation. To test this hypothesis, human breast cancer cells were treated with levonorgestrel plus or minus estradiol for 5 days. Compared to controls, levonorgestrel treated cells with and without estradiol, demonstrated a significant increase in cell viability and proliferation.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Melissa Scheiber
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Program/Major
Medical Laboratory Science
Primary Research Category
Biological Sciences
Effects of Levonorgestrel On Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation
Breast cancer is the leading type of cancer in the U.S. among women and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Women who are exposed to external hormones, through contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy, have been shown to have an increased risk for breast cancer. Levonorgestrel, a synthetic hormone found in intrauterine devices, was hypothesized to promote breast cancer viability and proliferation. To test this hypothesis, human breast cancer cells were treated with levonorgestrel plus or minus estradiol for 5 days. Compared to controls, levonorgestrel treated cells with and without estradiol, demonstrated a significant increase in cell viability and proliferation.